Shark Tales

How I Turned $1,000 into a Billion Dollar Business

By: Barbara Corcoran, Bruce Littlefield

Narrated by: Barbara Corcoran

In Shark Tales, Barbara shares her hilarious stories about growing up, getting into trouble, failing miserably, and then starting over again. In each chapter, she comes back to one of her mom's unconventional lessons, and how it applies in the real world of business. Whatever your calling, the homespun lessons that work for Barbara will help you use what you've got to create success in your life. Whether you're just starting out, fighting your way up the career ladder, or re-entering the workforce, Shark Tales is an owner's manual to your most valuable asset.

Growing up, author Barbara Corcoran shared one floor in a three-family house in New Jersey with her parents and nine brothers and sisters. She had few luxuries, but she was blessed with a mother who taught her to have self-confidence. Barbara's mom didn't know much about business, but she understood how the world works and how to make the most of what you've got. After failing at 22 other jobs, Barbara borrowed $1,000 from a boyfriend, quit her job as a diner waitress, and started a tiny real-estate office in New York City. Today, with over $2 billion in revenues, The Corcoran Group in New York's premier real-estate company, and Barbara is richer than her wildest dreams.

©2011 Barbara Corcoran (P)2011 Listen & Live Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Part memoir, part rough guide to business and 100 percent in-your-face glee." ( Working Mother)

"A practical, funny compendium of advice that should stick with any reader." ( USA Today)

"I love this book." (Judge Judy)

Inspirering story

Barbara tells a very honest story. It's entertaining- but not hardcore indepth.

I enjoyed it !

And recommend it as audiobook

Thank you Barbara !!

Absolutely amazing real life story which took me into a journey full of hope, success and honesty, I've never enjoyed listening to a book such as this one!

The Shark with a heart of gold.

Barbara Corcoran shares her tale from young waitress to savvy business woman, intertwined with side stories from her family life. Lots of life and business lessons can be learned as Barbara narrates her own story.

Fellow dyslexic

As a fellow dyslexic, needless to say I enjoy stories of people who have overcome this disability. Many times I was told that I would not succeed. The last time I was told this was 1989 when I was off to the police academy. The sheriff at the time said that I would not last two weeks. The look on his face at graduation was priceless. Today I have in over thirty years in law enforcement, and have my own business as well. Great job Barbara you continue to inspire me to always be hungry and be the best that I can be.

An insight into what success really entails

This was a great book, from the personal lessons on how to grow a business without the advantage of wealthy white male privilege, to the shocking reality that one of the lowest points in her life was AFTER she had built and sold her billion dollar business. The book is a personable look into the roller coaster reality of being an entrepreneur, and it really adds to it that she reads the book in her own voice.

Should be required reading...

For anyone in real estate. This is practical, no sense, highly entertaining information that is easy to implement.

Wonderfully done

Great job Barbara. The book was really well done. I really enjoyed it. love watching on Shark Tank also

5 stars

What did you love best about Shark Tales?

It is in a story format, which I really liked. Very entertaining and informative.

Transparent insights!

She didn’t hold back! I love that she shared the behind-the-scenes of her many successes.
She made it doable.

Different than any other business book

Where does Shark Tales rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Top 30

Any additional comments?

This is not at all what I was expecting. She bounces back and forth between a business situation or problem, then how she had a similar problem or frustration as a child and how advice from her mother helped fix it.

There is a lot of advice, but it is woven into multiple stories from her business life and her childhood. Often humorous and she does all the voices, sound effects and accents herself to make everything more interesting. It all made me laugh out loud a few times.

Enjoyable, I would recommend it.